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Welcome to It's Raining Books. Would you recommend military service?
At the age of 17, I had reached a point in my life that I had to get away from my family, away from the ghetto, away from myself. So, I decided to join the Marine Corps and see the world. I knew that I needed a home and place that provided security, leadership, and family. After having served 12 years on active duty, I would strongly recommend military service because I learned discipline, teamwork, and leadership. I felt complete. Jackie and I are both veterans, and she has 21 years of military service. She will tell you that she misses the people and the US Air Force mission. The military taught her leadership as well, and she uses all of those skills in her role as CEO of our nonprofit, Global Walk Inc. Together, we understand teamwork, dedication, military tactics – and we are powerful together.
Do you feel that we should have mandatory military service after high school?
Well, I can tell you that I quit high school when I was in the 11th grade. I was bored and frustrated with the classroom and teaching. I couldn’t take it and thought the subjects had no meaning for me. So, I walked out of the class and knew I wouldn’t go back. The US Marine Corps recruiter welcomed me. If given a choice, though, I would say graduate from high school.
Military service after high school would help young people grow up, learn to be responsible, and to be proud of their country. Military service would teach young people to honor and protect their country.
Do you ever feel depressed or down? What do you do if “yes”?
Truthfully, I get down when I have been hurt, especially by someone that I love and trust. I guess I have higher expectations of them then they have of themselves. When someone tells me that they love me, I believe them and respect and accept what they say. However, in this life I realize that I can only put my trust in God because we are not perfect.
Recently I was wounded by someone who I knew and loved. I thought I knew this person. The words that were said reminded me of the past when I was hurt before. What did I do? I left, I walked away. I realized they did know what love was and did not respect my feelings or me as a person. This situation made me think about the character and childishness, and I knew I couldn’t participate in the relationship. I knew I had to change, find a new direction, and focus on my calling and purpose. To love myself. How can you love someone if you don’t love yourself?
Tell us about your diagnosis of combat PTSD. How do you survive?
I find that in this world there are so many people that say they want peace. But instead of demonstrating peace, they demonstrate violence. Part of PTSD comes from a time, a place, a situation where you are fighting someone else… or you are fighting yourself. When you participate in this, you lose and experience fear, angry, frustration. You remember venomous words, horrific scenes; you recall being beaten up and not being able to defend yourself.
Believe this: there is war on battlefields, but there are also wars in the homes we live in. It is a battle of the mind and of the spirit. But it is not the Spirt of the Lord. For where there is the Spirt of God, there is life and not death.
How do I survive? I do not participate; I leave situations and people to God. I cannot be angry, judgmental; I can’t change or fix someone else. I have to turn the cheek, and find God and ask for his help.
Have you ever been lost -- really lost?
Danny and Jackie answer this question in Marines Don’t Cry with stories of death to life, deep sorrow to joy, darkness to light, and freedom in Christ.
Danny recounts his early life in Spanish Harlem and describes conversion from a life of drugs and “the fast lane” to one consumed with knowing and serving God. This makes his journey of walking more than 52 million steps on six continents for children and world peace such an incredible story.
Marines Don’t Cry is about the transformational power of God’s love: how Danny found his calling and is delivering the message of Christ at all costs.
Read an Excerpt
As we left the Arab village and continued toward Baghdad, the security patrol noticed something odd. In the distance, the guards saw large groups of people coming toward the caravan. About 20,000 people were walking toward us and were converging on us. The people were coming from both sides of the road. The military escort responsible for my safety became agitated and concerned. The crowds were not racing angrily toward us, but we were clearly outnumbered. Although the vehicles had automatic machine guns at the front and back of the caravan, I think the escorts were afraid.
“What shall we do, Mr. Garcia? They are coming!” the guards exclaimed.
“You don’t have enough bullets. Let them come,” I said.
As the crowd got closer, I could hear them singing. The caravan came to a stop. The guards were shocked. The people were in unison, in harmony, like a massive choir. The melody was beautiful.
“Why are they doing this? Why are they singing? Are they singing to me?” I asked.
“This is unbelievable,” said the guards. “They are singing to you! They are welcoming you.”
“Welcome,” they sang lovingly. “You are welcome!”
I absorbed the beauty of this moment and melted in their love for me. I smiled as the crowds joined the caravan. In unison, we continued forward into Baghdad. More than fifty TV cameras from around the world, including China, were waiting and recorded the entry into Baghdad. The sponsors made sure that all vehicles were removed from the main highway so that we were clear to walk. We walked up and over a bridge, the main bridge into the city of Baghdad, and thousands of people were flashing cameras in the daytime.
The city welcomed us. The Iraqi Olympians cried. Never had they been acknowledged with such a welcome.
In front of all the people was a little girl, maybe six years old. She stepped toward me and, looking up, raised a flower to give to me. I bent down to accept her flower. Then I picked her up, turned her around, and set her on my shoulder for the crowds to see this beautiful child. The people went wild and shouted with joy and happiness. My gesture was a message to the world:
“Everyone, see her! This is your child. I love her, you all should love her! She is who I care about. The children, we must protect them.”
About the Authors
Danny is married to the former Jacqueline Charsagua of El Paso, TX, and they work side by side to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After a rewarding and fulfilling Air Force career, she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the summer of 2006, having spent more than 21 years on active duty. Since 2006, she has supported and advised on all aspects of her husband’s walks and charitable initiatives within the United States and abroad. She joined Danny during his Africa Walk in 2007 and ministered in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Southern Sudan. During this time, her faith and reliance on God grew tremendously under the mentorship of Danny Garcia. The Global Walk experience gave Jackie an opportunity to serve God abroad, and her vision is to spread the hope, love, and the grace of Jesus Christ through her writing. She is a native of El Paso, TX, mother of one amazing daughter, and a breast cancer survivor.
Websites:
https://marinesdontcry.com
https://www.globalwalk.cc
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dannygarciawalkingman/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/263639465513321
https://www.facebook.com/jackiecharsagua.garcia
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dannyg_walking man/
https://www.instagram.com/jackiecg_usafa85/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBYOx4vqntVWUtW8pnefqg/videos
YouTube link of an interview with Danny and Jackie for the Veterans History Project: https://youtu.be/tiJV0RdVmis
Linked In:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-c-garcia/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-walk-inc
BookFunnel: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/xq67q9237u
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marines-Dont-Cry-Delivering-Message/dp/163195640X/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marines-dont-cry-danny-garcia/1139454637
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Marines-Dont-Cry/Danny-Garcia/9781631956409
BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/marines-don-t-cry-delivering-the-message-at-all-costs/9781631956409
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781631956409
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteFantastic excerpt, Marines Don't Cry sounds like a fascinating story and I am looking forward to reading it! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a terrific day!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting and sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your interview and book details, I am looking forward to reading your story
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone, thanks for hosting us, following the tour, and commenting with encouraging words. What a great ride. I love the name of this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing and I love the cover.
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ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Thanks!
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